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Balsalazide

Balsalazide Side Effects

Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCPAllison Gourley, PharmD
Reviewed by Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP, Allison Gourley, PharmD
Last reviewed on January 10, 2025

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Stomach pain (6%)
  • Diarrhea (5%)
  • Joint pain (4%)

Less Common Side Effects

  • Passing gas
  • Indigestion
  • Loss of appetite
  • Stuffy, runny, or itchy nose
  • Sore throat
  • Cough
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Tiredness
  • Fever

Note: Side effect data for adults. Side effects might differ in children.

Balsalazide serious side effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

  • Kidney damage: urinating less often than usual; dry and itchy skin; muscle cramps; swelling in your feet, ankles, or hands
  • Kidney stones: trouble urinating, bloody urine, fever, chills, back or side pain
  • Liver problems: yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, stomach bloating, right-sided stomach pain, dark urine
  • Serious skin reactions: hives, blisters, peeling skin, skin reddening, fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes
  • Serious allergic reaction: hives, swelling of the lips or tongue, trouble breathing
When do Balsalazide possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
H
D
W
M
Risk for acute intolerance syndrome (looks like a UC flare-up)

Source: DailyMed

The following Balsalazide side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Agitation

bloody diarrhea

blood in the urine

coma

confusion

dark-colored urine

decreased urine output

depression

dizziness

fever

headache

hostility

increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight

irritability

itching, skin rash

lethargy

light-colored stools

muscle twitching

nausea

pain in the groin or genitals

rapid weight gain

redness or other discoloration of the skin

seizures

severe sunburn

sharp back pain just below ribs

stomach pain

swelling of the face, ankles, or hands

unusual tiredness or weakness

vomiting

yellow eyes or skin

Less common

Bladder pain

cloudy urine

difficult, burning, or painful urination

frequent urge to urinate

heavy bleeding

lower back or side pain

pale skin

trouble breathing

unusual bleeding or bruising

Rare

Tightness in the chest

Incidence not known

Chills

clay colored stools

decreased appetite

dizziness

increased blood pressure

increased thirst

joint pain

loss of appetite

swelling of the ,fingers, feet, or lower legs

unpleasant breath odor

vomiting of blood

weight gain

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Diarrhea

muscle aches

sore throat

stuffy or runny nose

Less common

Acid or sour stomach

belching

bloated or full feeling

body aches or pain

bone pain

congestion

constipation

coughing

cramps

difficulty with moving

dry mouth

dryness of the throat

excess air or gas in the stomach or bowels

general feeling of discomfort or illness

heartburn

hoarseness

indigestion

muscle pain or stiffness

passing of gas

shivering

sleeplessness

sneezing

stomach discomfort or upset

sweating

swelling or inflammation of the mouth

swollen joints

tender, swollen glands in the neck

trouble with sleeping

trouble with swallowing

unable to sleep

voice changes

weight loss

Rare

Back pain

ear congestion

loss of voice

pain in the ankles or knees

painful, red lumps under the skin, mostly on the legs

unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness

Incidence not known

Hair loss or thinning of the hair

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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